Battery ignition system



Patented Oct. 3, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BATTERY IGNITION SYSTEM Charles J. Voge, Chicago, Ill.

Application April 12, 1930. Serial No. 443,715 3 Claims. (cums-14's) This invention relates to improvements in circuits for battery ignition systems.

The device of the present invention is intended to function automatically to eliminate part of the normal resistance in the circuit when the voltage of the battery falls below its rated value for any reason. This occurs always during the starting period.

It is well known that difliculty will be experienced in starting an internal combustion engine, particularly in cold weather, when the spark output is weak, and that the drain on the battery at time of starting is such that the spark output is below that produced by the normal battery voltage.

The main object of the invention is to overcome starting difilculties and to increase ignition coil efliciency by automatically eliminating from the circuit part of the resistance in the primary circuit of the system at any time when a diminution of the normal battery voltage occurs.

The invention consists in connecting in parallel to the primary circuit of an ignition system, an electro-magnetically operated voltage relay which will automatically reduce the resistance of the primary circuit when the voltage drops below a predetermined value. 4 Another object is to so construct the relay that the spring tension, as the armature is attracted to the core, will increase proportionately to the increase in magnetic flux.

In the drawing:--

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view of a battery ignition system embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary view of the circuit showing a slightly modified arrangement.

In the drawing, a battery is indicated at 10, a primary winding at 11, secondary winding 12, condenser 13, and interrupter 14.

An electro-magnetically operated voltage relay, indicated as a whole at 15, is connected-across the battery supplying the ignition system, by wires 16 and 1'7, to be operative only when there is a diminution or variation in the circuit. 18 indicates the relay winding, 19 the core, 20 the armature, carrying contact 21. 22 indicates a fixed contact which is connected by wire 23 to a tap in the primary winding 11.

A leaf spring 24 is fixed at one end to the core 19 and extends parallel with the armature 20, the free end of the spring 24 bearing against bracket 25 fixed to the armature 20.

When the voltage is normal or above normal, the magnetic flux is suflicient to draw the armature 20 to the core 19, thereby separating the points 21 and 22. Then the flow of current is necessarily through the entire primary "circuit. when the voltage drops'b elow its rated value, whether for a brief period or otherwise, the tenalone! the spring 24 is suflicient to overcome the magnetic flux of the core 19, and, therefore, the armature 20 is drawn into the position shown in Fig. 1 and the contact points 21, 22, are closed. Therefore, the current flows automatically through line 16, contacts 21 and 22, wire 23 and through part of the primary 11, eliminating that portion of the primary between the lines 16 and 23. Consequently, a substantial portion of the resistance is eliminated.

The tension on spring 24 when the armature has been drawn towards the core 19, is such that when a slight diminution in voltage .occurs, it returns the armature and contact 21, into contact with point 22.

The in idifie'd arrangement shown in Fig. 2 differs from the circuit of Fig. 1 in that an external resistance 26 is part of the circuit of the primary winding 11, insteadof the primary 11 having sufiicient turns (as inFig. 1) to provide all necessary resistance required of such primary circuits.

I claim:--

1. In the primary circuit of a battery ignition system, consisting of a battery, a non-inductive resistance unit, the primary winding of an ignition coil and means for opening and closing the circuit to the different units, all of said members being connected in series, an electromagnetically operated voltage relay adapted to automatically shunt out the resistance unit when the voltage of the battery falls below its rated capacity, the winding of said relay being connected across the battery in parallel to said series circuit.

2. A battery ignition system comprising a battery, an ignition coil, and an interrupter in a series circuit, and an electro-magnetic voltage relay for operating a set of contacts, the winding of said relay being connected across the battery in parallel to said series circuit, and the closure of the contacts of said relay automatically reducing the resistance of the primary circuit 0! said ignition coil when the voltage in the circuits falls below its rated capacity.

3. A battery ignition system comprising a battery, an ignition coil, and an interrupter in a series circuit, and an electro-magnetic voltage relay for operating a set of contacts, the winding of said relay being connected across the battery in parallel to said series circuit, and the closure ofthe contacts of said relay automaticallyshunting out part of the primary circuit of said ignition coil when the voltage in the circuits falls below its rated capacity.

CHARLES J. VOGE. 

